Democratic Party leader Justin Muturi has demanded an immediate investigation into allegations that voters in the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election were induced with money sent through mobile money transfers, raising questions over the credibility of the electoral process and calling on both the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) and Safaricom to account for the claims that surfaced as voting was underway.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Muturi urged IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon and law enforcement agencies to move quickly and establish the truth behind allegations that some voters received cash through mobile money platforms in what he described as possible electoral bribery.
"I am calling upon IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon and the relevant law enforcement agencies to speak up and investigate these allegations of offensive and outright bribery using mobile money transfer," Muturi said.
His remarks followed the circulation of screenshots on social media during the by-election that appeared to show recipients receiving Sh500 from POLLMASTER LIMITED. The message accompanying the transfer indicated the money was transport fare on behalf of a candidate and encouraged recipients to vote.
Muturi also questioned Safaricom over the alleged transactions, saying the company should explain how such payments could have been processed while serving as the telecommunications and technical support provider for the electoral commission.
"Safaricom CEO Peter Ndegwa needs to tell Kenyans why this is happening yet they are contracted by IEBC to provide telecommunications infrastructure and technical support," he said.
The former Attorney General further stated that should investigations confirm the allegations, both the IEBC chairperson and the Safaricom chief executive should take responsibility by resigning from their positions.
"If true, we need nothing but resignation of both Ethekon and Ndegwa," he said.
The allegations emerged as residents of Ol Kalou Constituency went to the polls to elect a new Member of Parliament following the death of former area MP David Kiaraho.
Nine candidates are contesting the seat, although the race has largely been seen as a contest between United Democratic Alliance (UDA) candidate Samuel Muchina Nyagah and Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) candidate Sammy Kamau Ngotho.